FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2025
Contact:
Madison Hardy
Janessa Tolman
WASHINGTON – Last week, U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) introduced the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act. The ARC Act would establish a risk reduction program for new commercial nuclear reactors.
The ARC Act has received significant support from industry leaders. Here’s what they are saying:
ClearPath Action CEO Jeremy Harrell: “Rising demand for clean, affordable and reliable energy highlights the role nuclear plays in unlocking American energy dominance. The faster nuclear projects get off the ground, the faster the U.S. can build new manufacturing facilities and data centers. The bipartisan ARC Act seeks to supercharge the deployment of new nuclear projects to meet this need.”
Nuclear Energy Institute President and CEO Maria Korsnick: “The Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act offers an important part of the solution to address the financial barriers that can prevent the deployment of new nuclear reactors. With essential financing solutions and consumer protections, this legislation can accelerate the commercialization of advanced nuclear technology, enhance U.S. energy independence, and strengthen our global leadership in clean and reliable energy innovation. We are grateful for the bipartisan leadership of Senators Risch and Gallego and look forward to working with Congress and other stakeholders to advance this important bill.”
Idaho National Laboratory Director John Wagner: “I want to thank Senators Risch and Gallego for their leadership on addressing barriers to advanced reactor deployment. Providing targeted cost overrun protection for first-of-a-kind projects will help accelerate commercial deployment, meet the significant growth in demand for reliable power that our industrial sector and economic competitiveness require, and ensure continued U.S. leadership in nuclear energy.”
Idaho Public Utilities Commission President Ed Lodge: “Idaho has long been a leader in advancing U.S. nuclear energy, with cutting-edge technologies being demonstrated at Idaho National Laboratory that can help meet growing demand. Senator Jim Risch’s ARC Act supports the next generation of advanced nuclear by addressing the unique risks of first-of-a-kind projects. By pairing a targeted federal financial backstop with strong safeguards, this bipartisan legislation helps reduce financial uncertainty, protect customers and ratepayers and accelerate commercialization.”
American Public Power Association Senior Vice President, Advocacy and Communications & General Counsel Desmarie Waterhouse: “The American Public Power Association (APPA) applauds Senators Risch and Gallego for their bipartisan leadership on introducing the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act of 2026. The ARC Act’s cost overrun protections meaningfully address financial barriers facing next‑generation nuclear projects. As energy demand continues to grow nationwide, public power utilities need access to more baseload generation to ensure affordable and reliable service for the communities they serve. APPA commends Senators Risch and Gallego for recognizing the essential role nuclear energy can play in meeting rising electricity demand while preserving affordability and reliability for American households.”
Arizona Public Service President and CEO Ted Geisler: “The Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act is critical to the establishment of new nuclear assets in the United States and at home in Arizona. APS has a long history of nuclear leadership at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station which provides 4.0 GW of clean, reliable nuclear energy to over 4 million customers. We are thankful for Arizona’s Senator Ruben Gallego and Senator Jim Risch for their bipartisan leadership to help bring new nuclear to the United States.”
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Global Energy Institute: “The ARC Act is a critical step toward addressing the unprecedented electricity demand driven by data center growth, ensuring a reliable and affordable energy future. By advancing the development and deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, this legislation provides a clean, firm power solution essential to meeting the increasing energy needs of our modern economy. Nuclear energy must play a central role in supporting this demand while maintaining grid reliability and achieving environmental goals. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this bill as a vital component of our nation’s energy strategy.”
IBEW International President Kenneth Cooper: “I commend Senators Risch and Gallego for their leadership in support of the advanced nuclear industry. The IBEW has long served on the front lines of innovation in the energy sector and advanced nuclear should be no different. Federal incentives have a critical role to play in bringing new nuclear technology to market. The ARC Act represents a pivotal step of moving projects from studies and speculation to shovels in the ground and unlocking meaningful private sector investment.”
Holtec International Director of Government Affairs and Communication Patrick O’Brien: “Holtec International is encouraged by the ARC act introduction from Senator Risch and Senator Gallego in this legislative session. With our work underway to construct the first SMRs in the United States (Pioneer 1 and 2) at the historic Palisades restart project in Michigan, this is another tool in the toolbox to help ensure the industry delivers on the promise of new nuclear construction to meet rising demand from AI and electrification while helping de-risk first of a kind construction costs.”
Clean Air Task Force, which co-leads Nuclear Scaling initiative with EFI Foundation and the Nuclear Threat Initiative, U.S. Federal Policy Director Reece Rushing: “Clean Air Task Force commends Senators Risch and Gallego for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the ARC Act. This bill addresses key barriers impeding the rapid and cost-effective deployment of nuclear energy in the United States, which is needed to strengthen U.S. energy security and competitiveness while meeting rising demand for clean firm power. We look forward to working with the sponsors to achieve this critical objective.”
North America’s Building Trades Unions President Sean McGarvey: “We commend Senators Risch and Gallego for their work towards strengthening America’s energy reliability, affordability, and security through the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act of 2026. The nuclear industry has been a bedrock for middle class sustaining jobs for decades and the men and women of the Building Trades remain ready, willing, and able to meet the demands of the next wave of nuclear construction. This legislation demonstrates bipartisan leadership, on a bipartisan issue, giving America the ability to reclaim its leadership in the nuclear industry. “
Nuclear Energy National Security Co-Chairs Daniel Poneman and Admiral Richard Mies (Ret.): “The ARC Act is a timely and strategically important step toward strengthening America’s national and energy security. By addressing key financing challenges that have slowed deployment of advanced nuclear technologies, this legislation will help ensure the United States can build the reliable, resilient energy infrastructure needed to power our economy, support critical defense missions, and compete globally. Nuclear energy is not only a clean and reliable power source – it is a strategic asset in maintaining U.S. leadership and countering geopolitical competitors. We commend Senators Risch and Gallego for their bipartisan leadership and are committed to supporting the advancement of this Act.”
Nuclear Innovation Alliance President and CEO Judi Greenwald: “NIA commends Senators Risch and Gallego for introducing the Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act, which would reduce early‑mover risk and help unlock private investment in new nuclear energy projects. As we’ve noted in our Federal New Nuclear Energy Investment Portfolio brief, innovative public‑private financing mechanisms like the ARC Act are critical to accelerating the commercialization of new nuclear energy.”
U.S. Nuclear Industry Council President and CEO Todd Anrajano: “USNIC thanks Senators Risch and Gallego for reintroducing the Accelerating Reliable Capacity Act. As the United States works to deploy the next generation of advanced nuclear reactors, reducing the risk of cost overruns is critical to maintaining investor confidence and commercial success. The ARC Act takes essential action to ensure new nuclear capacity is delivered on time and on budget to help meet the United States’ growing energy demand.”SRP Associate General Manager and Chief Power System Executive Bobby Olsen: “For decades, nuclear energy has delivered reliable, around‑the‑clock power to SRP customers as part of our diversified resource mix. As Arizona’s energy demand continues to grow, SRP and our utility partners are exploring options to add next‑generation nuclear capacity in the state. Senator Gallego’s Accelerating Reliable Capacity (ARC) Act represents a meaningful step toward reducing costs and mitigating financial risk for new nuclear projects — an action that’s critical to developing the reliable, resilient power we need for Arizona’s future.”
About Jim Risch
Jim Risch proudly represents the people of Idaho in the United States Senate. He currently chairs the Foreign Relations Committee and sits on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Risch previously served as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and State Senator. For the latest press releases and constituent services visit risch.senate.gov.
